Your innate immune system is the first line of defence against infections, cancer and various physiological danger signals. Innate immune dysregulation is a central driver of various pathologies ranging from neurological diseases to immunological and metabolic disorders and cancers. The Kourtzelis lab and the Boucher lab study how immune cells (e.g., macrophages, neutrophils) and non-immune cells control the onset and resolution of inflammation.
Recently coined, trained immunity is an exciting new field of immunology that studies how specific ligands can boost long-term innate immune responses. Through this project, you will explore how various endogenous and exogenous signals affect specific innate immune responses through trained immunity. You will also explore how defined innate immune cytokines modulate such responses in murine and human cells.
Through this exciting project, you will benefit from the highly complementary expertise of the Kourtzelis lab (Trained immunity, phagocytosis) and the Boucher lab (Inflammasome and cellular innate signalling).
You will be trained in a range a cross-disciplinary techniques that will incorporate immunological techniques (ELISA, phagocytosis assay), biochemistry (protein expression, immunoblotting), cell biology (live-cell microscopy), and murine model of inflammation. You will benefit from the world-class infrastructure and expertise of the York Bioscience Technology Facility and from a highly stimulant research environment.
We welcome applications from highly motivated students with a strong interest in immunology and inter-disciplinary research.
The York Biomedical Research Institute at the University of York is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Entry Requirements: Students with, or expecting to gain, at least an upper second class honours degree, or equivalent, are invited to apply. The interdisciplinary nature of this programme means that we welcome applications from students with backgrounds in any biological, chemical, and/or physical science, or students with mathematical backgrounds who are interested in using their skills in addressing biological questions.
Programme: PhD in Biomedical Science (3 years)
Start Date: 1st October 2022 (the student will be affiliated with the Department of Biology)